US President Donald Trump reported his dissatisfaction after a telephone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday, during which they discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump expressed his belief that Russia was intent on continuing its aggressive actions, stating, “He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it’s no good.” The call came as Russia launched its largest drone and missile attack on Ukraine during the three-year conflict.
The conversation between Trump and Putin occurred prior to hours of bombardment that caused Ukrainians to rush for shelter. Reporters in Kyiv observed drones flying overhead, accompanied by explosions throughout the night as Ukrainian air defense systems responded to the assault. Following the call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also reached out to Trump, focusing on enhancing Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
Zelensky indicated that they discussed strategies to reinforce the protection of Ukrainian airspace against such attacks. As the barrage unfolded, air raid alerts spread across Ukraine, coinciding with the Trump-Putin call. Eastern Ukraine suffered from drone and artillery strikes, leading to at least three injuries, as reported by regional governor Sergiy Lysak.
The Russian air offensive, characterized by a combination of 539 drones and 11 missiles, was noted as the most significant attack of the entire invasion. Emergency services in Kyiv confirmed that at least 26 people were wounded, and one individual was rescued from a collapsed structure. Poland’s embassy building in Kyiv sustained damage from the assault, although there were no injuries reported among its staff.
Over recent weeks, the frequency and intensity of Russian attacks have increased. A recent tally indicated that a record number of drones and missiles were launched at Ukraine in June, coinciding with a stagnation in peace negotiations. Amid these escalated hostilities, concerns arose in Kyiv regarding the continuity of US military aid, which is crucial for Ukraine’s defenses. This week, the US announced a reduction in certain aid deliveries.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for the European Union to enhance its support in light of the situation. Ukraine has continued to respond with its own retaliatory strikes, including an incident in which a Ukrainian drone attack killed a woman in Russia’s Rostov region. Efforts to secure a ceasefire, led by the United States, have stalled, with the most recent negotiations occurring over a month ago that involved a prisoner exchange agreement. On Friday, Russia announced another swap of prisoners of war with Ukraine, adhering to the earlier agreement.
